Movin' on Up

So I have already finished my first rotation. It is really hard to believe that my 6 weeks in Surgery have come and gone. I had a really great time working with Cardiothoracic Surgeons, so I saw alot of heart and lung surgeries. Needless to say I am constantly amazed by the human body and its ability to function and heal as well as the advancement of medicine in aiding the human body. While I was limited by hospital regulations on performing technical skills in surgery, I got to scrub in and put my hands in and touch everything(beating hearts, lungs, intestines, etc.) While I enjoyed surgery, it is not for me the hours are horrible, everything is late, and standing for 5-6 hours with all the sterile dress is hard.
Now I am in Women's Health in downtown Phoenix, so I get the inner city population as well as a long commute to work. But I am learning tons, prenatal visits, annuals, illness, and surgeries. The first day I got to scrub in to two C-sections, it was a big day for me. I have a tough teacher, she definitely gives me the look that makes me want to run for my books and study up so I give the right answer next time. She pushes me and everyday lets me progress a little further on my own. Can't really ask for more, but an occasional atta girl would be nice.
Jon is staying busy with work, he has been on a traveling streak for a bit. It's nice for him to get out there and meet with people. His parents also came for a visit. We enjoyed having them, they spoil us way to much. I'll have to post pics of the stuff we scored at Ikea . We're glad they visit us despite our guest room by night, living room by day accomodations. Jon's basketball league started up again, so far they have won when Jon is in town and lost when he's gone. I say that is a pretty good indication he should stop traveling so much, so he could help his team out :) Well I just wanted to let everyone know that we are alive and kicking, sorry for the lack of pictures.

Lake Tahoe

We just went to Lake Tahoe for the 4th Labor Day in a row. In fact Tahoe was our second date(3 day camping trip), which probably explains why we love going so much. It reminds us of all our firsts, holding hands, kiss, etc. Anyways, we do pretty much the same thing every year and meet up with whatever friends are willing to make the trip. It is not the easiest place to get to, however once there the trip is so simple and fun. Jon's Aunt Karen and Uncle Mike live 45 minutes away and they bring their RV up and cook for us. So while it is tent camping we have all the amenities of home, good cooking, card games, a bath house with showers, etc. This year my two college buddies from the freshman dorms came. Carissa and her husband Chris came, they have been married about as long as Jon and I. Also Alfreda came with her boyfriend Paul. So it was fun to have some of my favorite girls together with our guys. I am a little short on pictures right now, Chris had an awesome camera, so I left the picture taking up to him. Anyways here is the run through of pics from one of our favorite spots Emerald Bay. Anyways the invite is open for year 5, next Labor Day mark your calendars and come join us.

2005 Dating

2006 Engaged

2007 Married2008...still married

Carissa and ChrisAlfreda and Paul

One year down

Well I have finished the half of PA school. Technically it is more than half, but school is going to be totally different from here on out. I finished my finals this past week and now have a 2 week break. When I return I start clinicals, the first being Cardiothoracic Surgery. Instead of being in classes everyday all day and preparing for tests, I'll being working with a Doctor or PA and seeing patients and being tested continuously. I am scared and very excited to get out there. It will also be different not spending everyday with my 70 other classmates, friends or foes. No I like them all very much and will miss seeing them regularly. Now I am on my way to Oklahoma for a few days to meet my new nephew Kade. I am excited to see my family. The following are pictures from our pinning ceremony.

This is my biggest fan and best study buddy. I love Jon so much and he has helped me tons in school this past year. From spending the evenings in the library with me to being my patient when practicing exam skills. Not to mention cheering me up when I was down and helping me to keep pushing on when times were tough. He has been there for the highs and lows, even broken arms and legs. I am so grateful he is my eternal companion.

Jamie and I have sat together all year. We had many laughs and bored stares during class. We seem to pick up where the other has left off as far as paying attention, so between the two of us we have kept it together.

This Kelly my neighbor, car pool buddy, study partner, and Grey's Anatomy compadre. I have spent lots of good times with Kelly. And when I couldn't take studying anymore on my own, I'd head over Kelly's and study some more. We car pooled almost all year, and when I broke my leg she did all the driving, I can't imagine what the past year would have been like without her. It will be fun sharing all our new experiences this next year in clinicals.

The news we have all been waiting for. . . . .

Well at least Jon and I have been waiting for---my rotation assignments. This next year I will be doing 8, 6 week rotations with a doctor or PA in different areas of medicine. I start the 3rd week of August. I am scared and nervous, but I can't stand being in a classroom any longer. So now for the list.

1. Cardiothoracic Surgery (talk about scary)
2. OB/GYN (this is a real OB clinic, so I'll get to see births, etc.)
3. Pediatrics
4. Family Medicine I
5. Internal Medicine
6. Elective
7. Emergency Medicine
8. Family Medicine II in Yuma (I guess I need to learn Spanish, cause I am going to the border)

I have some really good rotations and I really lucked out because they are just assigned by a computer program. Getting surgery first isn't necessarily lucky, but I am excited for the experience. I'll get to see a real heart beating in someone's chest. As for being scared it is really of the OR nurses, I hear they can be brutal, but sterility is key and they protect their turf. For the elective I get to choose anything I want, problem is I don't know what I want yet. So it is good that I have some time before that comes up. As for Yuma, we all have to go to an out of town rotation, the school arranges the housing however it is just for me, not Jon. It will be interesting living with some roomates for a few weeks, mostly from my class I believe. Hopefully it is busy and I'll come home on the weekends.

I am so excited to start seeing the things I have been learning this past year. It will be so nice to be done with tests and 3 hours classes. However, it has been awhile since I have had a full workday schedule and had to commute. Some of the locations are quite a drive across the valley especially w/the horrible traffic here. I'll miss Jon and having lunch with him often, coming home early, and studying at home while he works. But this is what I have been looking forward to for along time, some real action.

Not much new has happened since my last post a broken leg limits the activities and leaves me very tired. I gave up the crutches on Friday night, more like I refused to use them any longer. I enjoy my new freedom very much even if it involves walking in a boot.

I wanted to post these pictures from a month ago. A sister in our ward asked if she could take some pictures of us for the new ward newsletter she had been asked to start. She wanted it to be of us doing some activity we enjoyed. One suggestion was mountain biking, but considering that my arm was still broken and in a cast when she asked, I decided against that. (There is no cast in the pictures because I got it off the day before.) Instead we chose roller blading because that was what we did on our first date in Provo Canyon. Anyways, Dani was a fun photographer and took some great pictures.